Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos participates in 5th Trilateral Meeting of Defence Ministers of Greece – Cyprus – Egypt

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Defence Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos participates in 5th Trilateral Meeting of Defence Ministers of Greece - Cyprus - Egypt

June 20, 2022

On Monday, 20 June 2022, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulosparticipated in the 5^thTrilateral Meeting with the Defence Minister of Cyprus Mr. Charalambos Petridis and the Defence Minister of Egypt General Mohamed Zaki,held in Cairo, Egypt.

During their meeting, the Defence Ministers reaffirmed their common will and determination for further developing the coordination, cooperation and joint efforts for the reinforcement of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the establishment of an environment that favors the growth and welfare of their people.

The common goal of the three countries is the implementation of a long-term, cohesive and substantial strategic cooperation, in accordance with International Law and the good neighborly principles, with all the countries in the region.

In the Joint Statement of the Trilateral Meeting, the Ministers condemned the unilateral actions that violate the sovereignty, the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of any country, in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and pointed out that it is necessary for all countries to respect International Law and the United Nations Charter, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and all the other respective agreements.

The Minister of National Defence informed his counterparts on the violation and provocativeness of Turkey and the over flights of Turkish fighters, pointing out that these are absolutely unacceptable actions and Greece will protect its sovereignty and sovereign rights with determination against any scheming.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos expressed his conviction that the further development and expansion of the Trilateral Cooperation, with the participation of other countries in the joint actions as well, using military assets, personnel and also observers, will contribute in the pursuits of the Trilateral cooperation and the security and stability in the wider region.

The next Trilateral Conference of the Defence Ministers of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus was agreed to be held in Greece, in 2023.

During the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting, the following Joint Statement was adopted:

"Joint Statement of the 5^thTrilateral Meeting of the Defence Ministers of the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic.

Cairo, 20 June 2022

1. General Mohamed Zaki, Chief of the Armed Forces, Defence and Military Production Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt,

Mr. Charalambos Petridis, Defence Minister of the Republic of Cyprus,

Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Defence Minister of the Hellenic Republic,

Met in Cairo, in 20 June 2022, in order to further promote their joint defence and military cooperation.

2. The Defence Ministers examined the cooperation progress in the field of defence and security and expressed their satisfaction for the common achievements. They reaffirmed their common will and determination to further develop the coordination, cooperation and joint efforts for the reinforcement of the security and stability, as well as to support the establishment of an environment in the Eastern Mediterranean that will favor the growth and welfare of their people.

3. The Defence Ministers also examined the developments and perspectives regarding the security conditions in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the tensions which affect the security and stability in the wider region.

4. The Defence Ministers expressed their concern and condemned every unilateral action that violates the sovereignty, the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of any country, in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and pointed out that it is necessary for all countries to respect International Law and the UN Charter, the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and all the other respective agreements.

5. The Defence Ministers agreed on a common vision that supports the continuously increasing strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean regarding the present and the future of the portfolio concerning the energy, the climate change and security, the security of transport lines and of international maritime trade channels. They also pointed out the importance of their cooperation for the reinforcement of security regarding energy supply, providing an additional energy supply source of Europe. They acknowledged the military obligations in the field of security that render the reinforcement of coordination and cooperation efforts necessary.

6. The Defence Ministers of the three countries expressed their deep concern for the re-emergence of terrorist organizations and their activity in many conflict and tension spots in the Middle East and in the Sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel). At the same time, smuggling in all its forms, illegal migration and human trafficking continue to be a steady challenge. Furthermore, the missionaries' phenomenon, the transport of foreign fighters and the support of armed militia are a dangerous threat for the regional and international peace and security, and they impose further responsibilities for the cooperation and coordination of counter measures against these challenges.

7. The Defence Ministers evaluated the efforts made by the Armed Forces of their countries regarding the implementation of the joint training programs of the three services (Army-Navy-Air Force). They also discussed and expressed their satisfaction for the participation of the friendly countries in these exercises, which constitute the corner stone for the coordination and unification of the possibilities concerning the reinforcement of the regional peace, security and stability.

8. They pointed out the importance of international cooperation to constrain global security tensions, to reduce global polarization and the immediate termination of armed conflicts. The necessity of crises management was also pointed out, through diplomatic and political means, for the avoidance of long lasting and geographically tensed confrontations that will harm the whole world and especially developing countries, regarding the insurance of their basic and strategic needs with regard to food and energy security and the defence needs.

9. The three Defence Ministers agreed on the following:

a. To intensify the communication, the consultations, the information exchange, the evaluations and the coordination of the joint efforts, to face the range of military challenges and security threats at a regional level, as well as to meet the requirements of reinforcing the security and interests of third countries.

b. To hold the next trilateral meeting of the Defence Ministers of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus in Greece, in 2023".